Washing machine head frame



April 25, 1939. T. s. WATSON WASHING MACHINE HEAD FRAME i4 %WJ@ Z 77WTToR/v 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed NOV. 22, 1957 April 25, 1939. WATSON I2,155,963

WASHING MACHINE HEAD FRAME Filed Nov. 22, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedApr. 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE U WASHING MACHINE HEAD FRAMEThomas S. Watson, Milwaukee, Wis. Application November 22, 1937, SerialNo. 175,794

17 Claims.

invention relates to washing machines and 'the like and moreparticularly to head frames for such-machines.

A type of washing machine for use in laundries comprises a casing havingmounted therein a rela- '-'tively long horizontal washing drum which isdriven at opposite ends and which is periodically reversedin itsdirection of rotation.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved washing machineconstruction wherein the drum-driving means is mounted on a head frameadjustably carried on the'washing machine frame to regulate or adjustthe driving connec- 'tions.-

Another object of the invention is to provide a washing machine headframe adapted to carry a counter-shaft and other mechanism thereon, suchas :a' transmission and an adjustably mounted motor, the head framebeing adjustable without disturbing the relative positions of thecountershaft, transmission or motor, and the countershaft being capableof sectional constructionand having any desired-number of bearings.

A further object of the invention is to provide a washing machine headframe which can readily be adjusted to regulate the tension of a belt orother flexible driving member connected to a line shaftor motor shaft.

The invention further consists in the several features hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

Certain embodiments of the inventionare illustr'atd'i'n' theaccompanying drawings whereinl is an end elevation of a washing machinewith its hea'd frame Fig; 2'is a rear elevationof the washing machine;

Fig. 3'is 'a' detail view of an adjustable mounting forthe'head'frame;

Fig?- ti's an endelevation of a washing machine having a modified formof head frame, parts being broken away;

Fig. 5' is an end elevation of another modified form ofadjustableheadframe';

Fig. "6 isan end elevation of a washing machine having afurther'modified form ofhead frame, 'parts beingbroken away and partsbeing shown in I section,- and Y (Fig. 7' is a detail sectional view ofan adjustable transmission mounting for the head frame of 50' Fig.6.

In'ithat form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, 10 designatesa-horizontal cylindrical casing which, in practice, may be ofconsiderablelength.

' The-casing i -is supported at its ends on'end 55- frames ll and'atintermediateportions onsaddle frames 12, all as usual, theend frames andsaddle framesbeing connected by suitable tie bars;l3 and M. A washingdrum or cylinder I is disposed within the casing I0 and carries at itsopposite ends the usual shafts I6 arranged on a horizontal axis andjournalled-in the end frames H p A pulley ll of large diameter issecured to each drum'shaft l6 and ishere indicated to be in the form ofa'multiple-grooved sheave for receiving -a number of V-belts H3. Thepulleys or sheaves H n) are connected by the V-belts 18 with aflpair of.much smaller multiple-grooved sheaves I-Ssecured .to the opposite endportions-of-acounter-shaft extending above the casing-l0 substantiallyparallel tothe axisof the drum l5.

The counter-shaft 20 is :rotatably supported; on ;a rigid rectangularhead frame 2-! whichcom- :prises :a pair .of spaced parallelj-horizontal string- :ers :22 and .23, here :shown to be channeI 'bars,connectedat;theirends by inclinedzcross' pieces ,24 .20

such as angle bars, the front stringer 22 preferably at -;a higherelevation than :the rear stringer 23. The stringers are substantiallyparallel to the .axis of the drum and restat their ends-onfront and rearledges 25 formed on the ,25 upper portions of the endframes H'. Theframe -2 l is adjustably secured in position by. clamping -boltsi2fi,Fig. 3, passing through-the lower flanges of the stringers and'throughslots 21 formed in theledges 25. Adjustmentofthe frame along the.30 pledges is effected by jack-screws .28 threaded throughlugs 2-9formed on'the ledges and-enter- 1 ingblocks 39- in contact-with theouter sides of-the stringers, the jack-screws being held in adjustedposition by lock-nuts 3|. When the head frame -.2I-issecured initsadjusted position it connects -or ties together the end frames l I,so as to provide mutual: bracing or support to avoid Weaving of thestructure and misalignment or binding of th washing drumand its-shafts.

The counter-shaft 20- is journalled' near its opposite; ends inbearings32 ,prferablyof-the self-aligning type, secured tov the end cross]pieces 24 of the frame 2|. A central .portionof the .counter-shaftpassesthrough a transmission 33,245

which is secured .to the stringers .22 andi2 3 .In practice, thecounter-shaft maybe made in coupled sections, an intermediateone ofwhich. passes through the transmission. -Preferably,- the shaft sectionsare substantially aligned, The trans-. mission. 33 includes a shaft..34,here shown to'be parallel withthe oouriter-shaftjfl. A multiple groovedsheave 35 is secured to the shaft .34 and is connected by a mummyOfI-VI-belts 36'wit li a ,grooved' sheave 31 on the shaft orgarremarn,

'dition should result from such adjustment.

motor 38. A motor base 39 is fastened to the stringer 22 and to crosspieces 40 connecting the stringers 22 and 23. The motor 38 is adjustablysecured to the base by bolts 4| passing through slots 42 in the base,the adjustment of the motor on the base serving to regulate the tensionon the belts 36. A brake 43 on the counter-shaft 20, or other rotatingpart, serves to lock the drum during loading and unloading and may alsobe used to stop the drum.

The tension on the two sets of drum-driving belts I8 is regulated byadjusting the position of the head frame 2| on the end frames I6, thetwo ends of the frame 2| being capable of separate adjustment so as toeffect independent regulation of the belt tension at opposite ends ofthe machine and thus insure equal transmission of power to the oppositeends of the drum. A slight lack of parallelism between the counter-shaftand the axis of the drum is not objectionable, if this con- It will benoted that the adjustment of the frame 2| does not disturb theadjustment of the motor 38.

In operation, power is transmitted from the motor 38 to thecounter-shaft 2|] by way of the transmission 33, which preferably servesto control the reversing operation of the counter-shaft, although insome instances the motor may be reversed instead. Power is transmittedfrom the counter-shaft 20 to opposite ends of the washing drum insubstantially equal proportions, thus distributing the load equallybetween the two sets of driving belts I8 and reducing torsional stressesin the drum. The machine operates quietly and shocks incident to varyingload conditions are taken up by the driving belts. Power is applied tothe middle portion of the counter-shaft so as to reduce and equalizetorsional displacement of the opposite ends of the shaft. Thecounter-shaft may be supported on any desired number of bearings. I

In-the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4, the casing I0 is supportedon end frames III and intermediate saddle frames 2. The opposite ends ofthe washing drum carry multiple-grooved sheaves H which are connected byV-belts I8 with multiple-grooved sheaves I9 secured to the opposite endsof a counter-shaft 20. The countershaft is rotatably supported on arigid rectangular head frame I2I, similar to the head frame 2|,

having front and rear stringers I22 and I23 connected by inclined crosspieces 24 at opposite ends.

Brackets I 44 are secured to the opposite ends of the stringers I22 andare pivotally connected by pins I45 to brackets I45 resting on ledgesI25 formed on the upper portions of the end frames III. Adjustment ofthe brackets I46 along the ledges is effected by jack-screws 28 threadedthrough lugs 29 formed on the ledges and entering blocks 30 in contactwith these brackets, the

jack-screws being held in adjusted position by Brackets I41 are securedto the rear stringer I23 and are pivotally connected by pins I48 withthe head portions of upright rods I49 slidably Y passing throughapertured lugs I50 on the end v hereinbefore'described and is connectedat an intermediate portion witha transmission 33. The

transmission includes a shaft I34 parallel with the counter-shaft andcarrying a sheave I35 which is connected by a plurality of V-belts I36with a grooved sheave I 31 on a line shaft or motor shaft I 38. Ifdesired, a driving motor may be mounted on the head frame as in themachine of Fig. l.

The frame I2I is adjusted by means of the jackscrews 28 and the rods I49to regulate and equalize the tension on the two sets of drum-drivingbelts I8 and to regulate the tension on the belts In the modified formof the invention shown in Fig. 5, the end frames 2| I are provided withguideforming slots or pockets 252 at their upper ends extendingsubstantially radially of the axis of the washing drum. A rectangularhead frame 22I, similar to the head frame 2|, has parallel stringers 222and 223 connected at their ends by inclined cross pieces 224 ofangle-shaped cross-section. A rectangular plate-like lug or vane 253 isintegrally formed on each cross piece 224 and slidably fits in the slot252. A jack-screw 228 is threaded in the end frame 2|| to bear againstthe lower edge of the lug 253 and to adjust the position of the frame22I for regulating the tension on the belts. The jack-screw is retainedin adjusted position by a lock-nut 23I. The lug is clamped in adjustedposition by screws 254 threaded into the end frame and engaging a sideface of the lug, the screws being provided with lock-nuts 255.Longitudinal shifting of the frame 22I is prevented by the end frames 2|I.

The drum sheaves I! are connected by V-belts I8 with sheaves I9 securedto the opposite ends of a counter-shaft 28 journalled in bearings 32mounted on the cross pieces 224. As in the Fig. 1 device, the frame 22Icarries a motor-driven transmission 33.

In the modified form of drive shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the end frames 3are connected by a number of tie bars 3I3 and 3|4, and are provided withfront and rear ledges 25, as in the Fig. 1 device. A rectangular headframe 32 I, similar to the head frame 2|, rests on the ledges 25 and isadjustable therealong by jack-screws 28, in the same manner as the frame2|. The frame 32| includes a pair of inclined crossbars 340 betweenwhich the transmission 33 is placed. The transmission, instead of beingrigid on the frame, is pivotally supported on bearings 35| secured tothe cross bars 348 and permitting the transmission to tilt about theaxis of the shaft 20. A bracket 34'! is secured to the bottom of thetransmission and has pivotally mounted therein the bent upper end of athreaded stem 349. The stem extends loosely through a bracket 350attached to the stringer 332 of the frame 325, and is secured to thebracket in vertically adjusted position by nuts 35| to hold thetransmission in adjustably tilted position.

As in the device of Fig. 4, the transmission has a shaft I 34 parallelto the counter-shaft 20 and carrying a sheave I35 which is connected bya plurality of V-belts I 36 with a grooved sheave I31 on a line shaft ormotor shaft I38.

The tension on the driving belts I8 at opposite ends of the machine isadjusted by shifting the head frame 32I on the le'dges'25, as in theFig. 1 device. adjusted by tilting the transmission, and since thetilting takes place about the axis of the countershaft 20, the tensionon thebelts I8 is not disturbed.

While the invention is here shown to be used in 'a drum type washingmachine, it will be obvious The tension on the belts I36 is thereafter?that it is also applicable to other typesof machines, such as tumblers.

The driving connections to the ends of the washing drum are here shownto be v -belts, but other forms of belting, such as'chain belting, mayobviously be substituted. Similarly, the motor belts and line shaftbelts may be replaced by chain belting.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a rotary driven member having axially spaced driveelements, supporting means for said member, a frame having bearings, ashaft journalled in said bearings and arranged substantially parallel tothe axis of said rotary driven member, spaced drive elements on saidshaft in substantial alignment with the drive elements on said rotarydriven member, belt members connecting the drive elements on said rotarydriven member and frame, and" means for driving said shaft at a regionapproximately midway between the drive elements on said shaft, saidframe being adjustably carried by said supporting means and shiftablewith respect to the axis of said rotary driven member to adjust thetension on the spaced belt members.

2. In combination, a rotary driven member having drive elements at itsopposite end portions, end supports on which said member is rotatablymounted, a frame, drive elements rotatably mounted on the opposite endportions of said frame and having their axes substantially parallel tothe axis of said rotary driven member, belt members connecting the driveelements on said rotary driven member and frame, and means for drivingsaid frame-mounted drive elements, said frame being adjustably carriedby said end supports and shiftable with respect to the axis of saidrotary member to adjust tension on the spaced belt members, and saidframe forming a tie member connecting together said end supports.

3. In combination, a, rotary driven member having axially spaced driveelements, supporting means for said member, a frame, spaced driveelements rotatably mounted on said frame and having their axessubstantially parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, beltmembers connecting the drive elements on said rotary driven member andframe, and means for driving said frame-mounted drive elements, saidframe being adjustably carried by said supporting; means andshiftablewith respect to the axis of said rotary driven member to adjust thetension on the spaced belt members, and said frame being adjustablysecured to said supporting means to. provide mutual support therewith.

4. In combination, a, rotary driven member having axially spaced driveelements,. supporting means for said member, a frame, spaced driveelements rotatably mounted on said frame and having; their axessubstantially parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, beltmembers connecting the drive elements on said rotary driven member andframe, a transmission on said frame operatively connected with saidframemounted drive elements and having a shaft spaced from andsubstantially parallel to the axis of said frame-mounted drive elements,a rotary drive element on said last-named shaft adapted to be connectedby a belt member to a driving shaft, and means for adjustably andtiltably mounting said frame on said supporting means to regulate thetension on said several belt members.

5. In combination, a rotary driven member having axially spaced driveelements, supporting means for said member, a frame; spaced driveelements rotatably mounted onsaid frame and having belt connections withsaid first-named drive elements, and means for driving said framemounteddrive elements, said supporting means and frame having sets ofrelatively slidable interfitting parts spaced longitudinally of theframe and permitting independent shifting of longitudinally spacedportions of said frame with respect tothe axis of said rotary drivenmember to adjust the tension of said belt connections.

6. In combination, a rotary driven member having drive elements at itsopposite end portions, end supports on which said member is rotatablymounted, a frame, drive elements rotatably mounted on said frame andhaving their axes substantally parallel to the axis of said rotarydriven member, belt members connecting the drive elements on said rotarydriven member and frame, and means for driving said framemounted driveelements, said end supports and the opposite end portions of saidframehaving relatively slidable interfitting parts permittingindependent shifting of the opposite ends of said frame with respect tothe axis of said rotary driven member to adjust the tension of said beltmembers.

7. In combination, a rotary driven member having drive elements at itsopposite end portions, end supports on which said member is rotatablymounted, a frame having spaced stringers and end cross members, bearingson said cross members, a shaft journalled in said bearings and arrangedsubstantially parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, bearingmeans on said frame for an intermediate portion of said shaft, rotarydrive elements on the opposite end portions of said shaft, belt membersconnecting the drive elements on said shaft and rotary driven member,and means for driving said shaft, said frame being adjustably' carriedby said end supports and shiftable with respect to the axis of saidrotary driven member to adjust the tension of said belt members, andsaid frame forming a tie member connecting together said end supports toprovide mutual support therewith.

8. In combination, a rotary driving member having a drive element, arotary driven member having a drive element, a transmission having apair of spaced parallel shafts with axes substantially parallel to theaxes of said driving and driven members, drive elements on saidtransmission shafts, a belt member connecting said first-named driveelement and one of said transmission drive elements, a, belt memberconnecting the other. transmission drive element and the drive elementon said driven member, and means for adjustably tilting saidtransmission to regu-' late, the tension of said belt members.

9'. In combination, a rotary driven member having axially spaced driveelement's, supporting means for said member, a frame, spaced driveelements rotatably mounted on said frame and having their axessubstantially parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, beltmembers connecting the drive elements on said rotary driven member andframe, a third drive element rotatably mounted on said frame in drivingconnection with the first-named frame-mounted drive elements and havingits axes spaced from and substantially parallel to the axis of saidframe-mounted drive elements, said third framemounted drive elementadapted to be connected by a belt member to a driving shaft, andarticulated means for supporting said frame from said supporting meansand for adjustably tilting said frame to regulate the tension on saidseveral belt members.

10. In combination, a rotary driving member having a drive element, arotary driven member having a drive element, a transmission having apair of spaced substantially parallel shafts with axes substantiallyparallel to the axes of said driving and driven members, a drive elementon each transmission shaft, a belt member connecting said first-nameddrive element and one of said transmission drive elements, a belt memberconnecting the other transmission drive element and the drive element onsaid driven member, and means for laterally shifting and tilting saidtransmission to regulate the tension of said belt members.

11. In combination, a rotary driving member having a drive element, arotary driven member having a drive element, a transmission having apair of spaced substantially parallel shafts with axes substantiallyparallel to the axes of said driving and driven members, a rotary driveelement on each transmission shaft, a belt member connecting saidfirst-named drive element and one of said transmission drive elements, abelt member connecting the other transmission driven element and thedrive element on said driven member, a frame on which said transmissionis tiltably mounted substantially about the axis of one of said shaftsto adjust the tension of the belt member connected to the drive elementon the other shaft, and supporting means on which said frame isadjustably mounted to adjust the tension on the other beltmember.

12. In combination, a rotary driven member having axially spaced driveelements, a frame, spaced drive elements rotatably mounted on said frameand having their axes substantially parallel to the axis of said rotarydriven member, belt members connecting the drive elements on said rotarydriven member and frame, supporting means on which said frame isadjustably mounted to adjust the tension on said belt members, atransmission tiltably mounted on said frame and having a drivingconnection with said framemounted drive elements, said transmissionhaving a shaft substantially parallel to the tilting axis and to theaxis of said frame-mounted drive elements, a rotary drive element onsaid transmission shaft, a driving shaft having a rotary drive element,and a belt member connecting the drive elements of said driving shaftand transmission shaft and having its tension adjusted by tilting thetransmission with respect to said frame.

13. The combination, with a washing machine having end frames and ahorizontal washing drum between said end frames, of a head frameshiftably carried on and secured to said end frames and forming a tiemember connecting said end frames, shaft means rotatably carried on saidhead frame, belting connections between said shaft means and theopposite ends of said drum and adjustable by shifting said head frame,and means for driving said shaft means.

14. In combination, a rotary driven member having axially spaced driveelements, spaced supporting means for said member, a frame pivotallycarried on said supporting means and swingable on an axis substantiallyparallel to the axis of said driven member, drive elements rotatablymounted on said frame and having their axes substantially parallel tothe axis of said rotary driven member, belt membersconnecting the driveelements on said rotary driven member and frame, and means for drivingsaid frame-mounted drive elements, said frame being swingable on itspivotal mounting to adjust the tension on said spaced belt members andbeing adjustably secured to said supporting means to tie together saidsupporting means.

15. In combination, a rotary driven member having drive elements at itsopposite end portions, end supports on which said member is rotatablymounted, said supports having respectiveguides extending substantiallyradially of said driven member, a frame having portions slidablyengaging said guides, drive elements rotatably mounted on said frame andhaving their axes substantially parallel to the axis of said drivenmember, belt members connecting the drive elements on said rotary drivenmember and frame, and means for driving said frame-mounted driveelements, said frame being shiftable on said guideways to adjust thetension on the spaced belt members and being adjustably secured to saidend supports to tie together said end supports.

16. The combination, with a washing machine having a frame structure anda horizontal washing drum, of a head frame shiftably carried on saidwashing machine frame structure, shaft means rotatably carried on saidhead frame,

driving connections between said shaft means and the opposite ends ofsaid drum and adjustable by shifting said head frame, and means fordriving said shaft means, said head frame being adjustably secured tosaid frame structure to provide mutual support.

17. The combination, with a washing machine having end frames and ahorizontal washing drum between said end frames, said end frames havingsubstantially horizontal supporting surfaces, a head frame resting onsaid supporting surfaces and slidable thereon, means for securing saidhead frame on said supporting surfaces to tie together said end frames,shaft means rotatably carried on said head frame, driw'ng connectionsbetween said shaft means and the opposite ends of said drum andadjustable by sliding said head frame on said supporting surfaces, and

means for driving said shaft means.

THOMAS S. WATSON.

. CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,155,965. April 25, 19 9.

THOMAS S. WATSON. 7

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above nuinbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,second column, line 56,- for the reference numeral "552" read 522; page5, second column, line 72, claim 9, for "axes" read axis; line 75, sameclaim, for "axis" read axes; and that the said Letters Patent should beread with this correction therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Office.

-Signed and sealed this 6th day of June, A D. 1959.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

